Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Fablehaven; Fablehaven Rise of The Evening Star; Fablehaven Grip of the Shadow Plague; Fablehaven Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary; Fablehaven Keys to the Demon Prison

   It took me a little while to read these books, but I must attest that they are extraordinary and after reading them you will never look at any living creature in the same light again. It broadens your imagination even more than I thought possible. In the first book you are introduced to Kendra and her brother, Seth. They end up going to their grandparents for the summer and are encountered with a magical world that they didn't know to be there. Each book they encounter new challenges that require them to become braver, and that they never knew they would encounter. 

These books are good for any age, and like Harry Potter can take you to a new and magical world.

I was introduced to these books by a good friend of mine and I am so glad he kept me reading them because they were magnificent and did not disappoint! Now, enjoy some pictures I found on the net that may give some insight to some magical creatures.

Harry Potter series

Normally I would put all the information underneath the books, but these books are so popular that I feel like I don't have to. However, this post will be more about what I think of these books.

Besides reading the scriptures I really got hooked on these books and it got me reading more. I used to hate to read and would get often discouraged. These books helped me to learn new words and really jump into another world. These books (if you haven't read them) are about a boy named Harry Potter that finds out he is a wizard that survived a killing curse when he was a baby. Throughout the books it is basically a battle between Harry (the young boy) and Voldemort (the one who tried to kill him). Harry goes to school at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy and each year faces new challenges while learning how to become a great wizard. 

These books really help kids to see the difference between good vs. evil and how to overcome such evil. 

Note: I am sorry I have not said more about these books, but I don't want to give any of the stories away. Because I feel they are all a must read!

The Help

The Help

Kathryn Stockett

  Taking place in Jackson, Mississippi in the early 60s this book is about the many black women that helped the whites and barely got paid, sometimes got beaten, but also met some of the most wonderful people. It is told from the perspective of three different women. Two black, Aibleen and Minny. One white, Skeeter. It is simply a remarkable story about how hard times were between the two groups back then. 

For more information: http://www.kathrynstockett.com/

There is also a movie coming out for the trailer go here:http://www.facebook.com/thehelpmovie

SHEEP

Sheep

Valerie Hobbs

  Jack is a young Border Collie who gets taken away from his home and heads on a journey of his life trying to get back to his home and find a place where he can do what he was born to do. Herd the sheep. 

  This book is remarkable! I read it in just a couple of hours. It is told by the dog, and it just grabs you in and helps you think of how important man's best friend can be. All ages should read this book!

THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games Series

Suzanne Collins

Scholastic

Book #1 -2008, Book #2- 2009, Book #3-2010

             For this series I'm going to do all three books at once. Why? Well, these books blend together so well that it's only fair to do them in one post. 

           In the words of Chad Rogers (who got me hooked), "Chad Rogers Far future when US no longer exists. US is now divided into 13 districts governed by a tyrannical capital. the hunger games are when a boy and a girl from each district are required to fight against each other to the death (but don't worry its not that graphic). without trying, the main character starts a rebellion... you'll have to read them to find out more!"  Here's what happens without giving away the story. The main character in the story is a girl named, Katniss Everdeen.  The "tyrannical capital" says that a boy and girl from each district must fight to the death. Why? Well, the capital wants to prove they are still in control! 

            How did I feel about these books? I loved them!  Why? Because I love books that are very tense and keeps you constantly reading. I read all three books in less than a week! Yes, they are that good. I also love to read about how someone overcomes a tyranny! 

         Why won't I tell all? Well, these books are that good that you just have to read them. They are full of sadness, happiness, anger, and love. I highly recommend these books!

Because of Winn Dixie

Because of Winn Dixie

Kate Dicamillo

Candlewick Press

2000

                    Kate Dicamillo was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has written several books for children. These include: Great Joy, as series of Mercy Watson, The Miraculous Journey, of Edward Tulane, The Tale of Despereaux, and The Tiger Rising.

                This book is about a little girl named, India Opal, who finds a dog in a grocery store. She gives him the name Winn-Dixie, after the grocery store. Throughout the book Winn-Dixie does things so India Opal makes more friends. You find out in the story that Winn-Dixie is afraid of thunderstorms and near the end he disappears. While India Opal and her father, the preacher, go to look for him the others (who are at this party India Opal planned) find him hiding under the bed.

             I really enjoyed this book because for me it gave an even greater meaning to the word "friend." I think at times we forget how someone can help us meet new people. I believe this is a very good book to help children to understand how wonderful friends are. This book is perfect for ages 10-12. I think it brings meaning and life to a friendship and this age group need that in my opinion. With this you could teach children that having an animal as a friend is okay.

The Outsiders

The Outsiders

S.E. Hinton

Penguin Group

1967

                     S.E. Hinton was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. When she first started writing she wasn't satisfied with the literature that was being written for children, and thus decided to write The Outsiders which helped her to become a famous author. It is said that she is the voice for youth of the modern day.

                     The Outsiders is about two special class groups known as the "greasers" and the "socs." Ponyboy is the main character in this story-- he tells about his whole life as a "greaser." About the middle of the book Johnnycake and Ponyboy get into some trouble with the "socs"-- Johnnycake ends up killing one of them by accident. They go into hiding in an old church in a little town called WinnDrixville. The church catches on fire while there are young kids inside. Johnny and Ponyboy go to save them and get wounded in all the mess. Towards the end Ponyboy begins to fail classes because of all the events that happened (with Johnny & Dally's deaths). Ponyboy's English teacher asks him to write a themed paper and then you notice at the end of the book his paper is the whole book.

                 One of my favorite things in this book is the poem that Ponyboy recites by Robert Frost.

"Nature's first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

He early leaf's a flower;

But only so an hour.

The leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down today.

Nothing gold can stay."

              I would highly recommend this book to anyone who may have trouble finding their "identity." This book is very good for 8th and 9th grades. It helps them to find out who they truly are.  This book really helps that it's not about who your friends are, but rather what your own heart makes of you. Again, thank to Mrs. Matthews for being the first to introduce me to this book.